Honduras: Looting force coup leaders to suspend the curfew

( Matrizur ) Tegucigalpa, on September 23. Honduras security forces violently dispersed a march Wednesday in support of the constitutional president, Manuel Zelaya, at a time when a series of looting and vandalism forced the de facto regime to suspend seven hours the curfew imposed after the surprise return of ruler to Tegucigalpa, on Monday, so that people could stock up on food and fuel.

In the midst of increasing chaos, and new demonstrations of resistance in defiance of the suspension of guarantees, the regime headed by Roberto Micheletti kept the military cordon around the Brazilian embassy, ​​where Zelaya is in as "guest", with a hundred followers.

Moreover, the coup regime announced: "Due to the events has decided to maintain the curfew throughout the country, and be informed in due time it concludes."

Riot police and soldiers attacked this morning with tear gas and projectiles at opponents, among whom over 100 were arrested in an operation deployed in the central park of Tegucigalpa, reported the Committee to Defend Human Rights in Honduras.

The Zelaya marched to the Brazilian embassy, ​​where Zelaya, who was a military command expelled the country last June 28, while another large group of demonstrators moved towards the headquarters of the United Nations of this capital .

There are no reports of injuries

At press time there were no reports of casualties in the fighting of this day.

The authorities acknowledged that the clashes on Tuesday between resistance fighters and security forces left two people dead, dozens injured and little more than a hundred detainees who were released Wednesday.

A 65 year old man died last night shot during one of the repressive acts of the security forces in a slum of Tegucigalpa, hours after army troops and police dispersed thousands of protesters outside the embassy of Brazil, according to a source at the local University Hospital.

The National Police spokesman, Orlin Cerrato, confirmed that one of the wounded died in hospital and the other fatality was an activist in the resistance movement during a demonstration in a capital district, but said he did not know how he died. Neither could give the identity of both victims.

Cerrato said that 113 people were freed Wednesday after being arrested in the protests on Tuesday in different parts of the capital.

For the second consecutive day surrounded by soldiers and police kept the Brazilian embassy, ​​practically under siege, where he continues Zelaya with his wife, family and friends, where he secretly entered on Monday, ending nearly three months of exile.

During the night, helicopters flew over the diplomatic representation.

Yesterday the military forces besieged the place with a deafening noise emitted from a special device, which has also been used to disperse demonstrators, residents complain that leaves no sleep.

The de facto government announced it will increase the "supervision and control" in the streets of the country, fearing a repeat of the riots and chaos on Tuesday night and early hours of Wednesday. Micheletti military ordered off the streets to accompany the police to prevent further abuse.

Several areas of Tegucigalpa resembled combat zones, the agency Dpa found during a tour of the city's poor neighborhoods, where barricades and burning tires in the streets were seen destroyed.

The looting at supermarkets owned by the U.S. Wal-Mart and the local chain The Colony, and a Mexican Elektra store, surprised the authorities and join a movement that supports Zelaya.

The vandalism was such that little remained on the premises of the El Pedregal neighborhood in the south of Tegucigalpa.

The front of resistance against the coup blamed the de facto regime of the facts, noting that "autoabastecimientos have begun" in places where the curfew prevents people buy food, water and medicine.

For the authorities the most concern is that the looting occurred at times when there was theoretically a curfew. The Security Ministry said "will enhance patrol and control" on public roads, warned that "there is no tolerance and increase the level of police force."

According to the secretariat have been "provocative actions evidenced the police in order to create martyrs."

In response, the government suspended on Wednesday, temporarily, a curfew from 10 am to 5 pm, so that people take to the streets to stock.

Thousands of people crowded supermarkets and petrol stations. The food carts were overflowing the tone for fear that the state of emergency is extended or the political crisis deepens, thousands of Hondurans do not have the financial capacity to store food.

Minister of Industry and Commerce the de facto regime, Benjamin Bogran, was the capital of a business customer who rushed to buy products for your home. "We have enough stored grain", there are fuel and food and financial system is working, said when asked by the press, then, called for "calm."

Authorities in charge of the oil industry and motorists urged to avoid panic buying in order to prevent the fuel exhaust gas stations.

From the Brazilian Embassy, ​​Zelaya called on the leaders and governments attending the UN General Assembly that "the Honduran people left alone", and called the president's supporters to stay organized in "villages, hamlets and neighborhoods" in "commissions of resistance against the coup" considering that remain in an "offensive" aimed at dialogue and peace.

On the announcement of the Micheletti regime that is willing to "talk" with him as long as they recognize the presidential elections of November 29, Zelaya said there must be a broad dialogue with the participation of all sectors.

Micheletti's Foreign Minister, Carlos Lopez, did not rule out that the dialogue could begin next week with a delegation of foreign ministers of the Organization of American States. But Zelaya said he seeks a dialogue "personal" with Micheletti and economic groups that are interested in participating in the November elections, it was already in the country to speak.

In contrast, Micheletti told international media that was willing to "listen" to Zelaya, but not to negotiate and must accept the election.

Source: Matrizur